In 1994 a group of 12 artists in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island met to discuss the need for a permanent showcase for selling their artwork beyond the usual venues of craft fairs and exhibitions. Though the initial group changed, a core group of 9 opened their first tiny storefront in downtown Duncan in August of the same year. They called themselves IMAGINE THAT! ARTISANS' DESIGNS. They are a Registered Co-operative.
August 2011 marks the beginning of the 18th year in business for this very successful artist-run store. There are currently about 100 artisans on display. All work is juried and is of very high quality, with price ranges for even the smallest budget. The Members are justifiably proud of their long record supporting local Cowichan artists and other artists from Vancouver Island.
Mid way between VICTORIA and NANAIMO, their great location is at the heart of the Cowichan Valley in historic downtown Duncan. IMAGINE THAT! is a pleasant place to turn off the Island Highway and have an artistic "refuelling" stop. Look for the red brick CITY HALL. We're across the square.
Imagine that! is proudly Canadian, with most works made in the Cowichan Valley or in the surrounding towns of Chemainus, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, and Victoria.
Imagine That! Artisans' Designs featuring Robin Millan, Eva Trinczek, Margot Page, Clare Carver and Sandra Greenaway who are the principal Co-op Members plus upwards of 95 other professional artisans and artists.
Each day, you will meet one of our working artists helping to operate the shop and make it the success it is. Come in and say hello.
Imagine That Artisans' Designs features a collection of First Nations Carvings produced on the West Coast of Canada. These carvings will only be available for a short time. They are older pieces, carved by well known artisans from Haida Gwaii to Victoria, BC.
Every month the displays change in both storefront windows. These windows are available for artists to rent and are booked well in advance.
Winter Store Store Hours
January and February
Monday through Saturday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
We will be closed for our annual break from Monday, January 23 to Sunday, January 28 inclusive.
Featured Artists from January 30 to February 25
Come and see tempra paintings by Ed Chan and still life paintings by Linda Yurgensen.
Ed Chan
Ed Chan paints exclusively with tempera on illustration board, quite often mistaken as prints.
"My eclectic collection of work have often been described as whimsical, satirical, loss for words, but always strangely personal. Whereas I look at them as trying to be funny but could never tell a joke with spoken words."
Read more about Ed Chan at www.edchanart.ca
Linda Yurgensen
Throughout the ages still life has held a fascination for some of the world's greatest artists such as Cezanne and Van Gogh. The word still life comes from the Dutch "still leven" which simply describes a painting with inanimate objects such as fruit or flowers. Realism was particularly strong in Flemish art and showed a growing desire of artists to paint what they saw, celebrating in paint a fascination with the world around them. For Cowichan Valley artist Linda Yurgensen, painting still life has filled just this desire.
Read more about Linda Yurgensen at CobbleHillStudio.blogspot.com
